Methods and apparatus for creating and applying pom poms to objects and surfaces

ABSTRACT

A method of play and kits and systems for creating play patterns related to making and decorating objects with pom poms are provided. The methods and kits may include a pellet that includes a plurality of threads of fiber of substantially the same length arranged in parallel along their transverse lengths, wherein the threads of fiber are arranged such that at least one end of each fiber lies in a plane to form a plane of fiber ends and wherein the pellet further comprises a container that surrounds the transverse lengths of the plurality of fibers and is open at one end exposing the plane of fiber ends. The pellet is coupled to an adhesive segment at the plane of fiber ends. The adhesive segment including the pellet is then coupled to an object. Finally, the container is removed from the pellet to form a pom pom.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application clan s the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/171,774 filed on Jun. 5, 2015, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present patent document relates to methods and apparatus forcreating and/or applying pom poms. More particularly, the present patentdocument relates to methods of play and apparatus for applying tufts ofyarn or thread, a.k.a. “pom pom,” to objects and/or surfaces.

BACKGROUND

In the field of toys and arts and crafts, there is a need for a varietyof different play patterns to allow decoration of objects. Recently, theart of “bedazzling” objects has become very popular. When an object is“bedazzled” sequins, beads, rhinestones (fake or real) are glued to theoutside surface of an object to give the object greater appeal. Often,the sequins are very shiny resulting in an object that sparkles or has“bling.” Although bedazzling is popular, it has drawbacks, The sequinsare small and easily lost. The object surface becomes very rough anduncomfortable. To this end, it would beneficial to create methods andsystems for decorating objects that overcomes or at least alleviatessome of the drawbacks of bedazzling.

SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS

A kit for applying fibers to a surface is provided. In one embodimentthe kit comprises a plurality of pellets. Each pellet includes aplurality of colored fibers and/or single colored fibers and/or materialstrands aligned in parallel with their first ends defining a first planeand their second ends defining a second plane parallel to the firstplane. In preferred embodiments, each pellet includes a plurality offibers with their longitudinal axes running parallel to each other. Eachpellet further includes an outer container that secures and holds thefibers and/or material strands in position. To this end, pellets arepreferably cylindrical constructs of parallel fibers and/or materialstrands with an outer container. The pellets may include fibers of thesame color and the kit may include pellets of different color fibers. Inpreferred embodiments, the pellets comprise fiber of the same colorand/or material strands. However, in other embodiments, pellets maycontain different colored fibers and/or fibers of different materialswithin a single pellet.

In some embodiments, the kit includes pellets with adhesive alreadyapplied to one end of the pellets, either on the ends of the fibersdefining the first plane or second plane. In other embodiments, the kitincludes adhesive provided in small portions on a sheet n yet coupled tothe pellets. The adhesive may be any type of adhesive including but notlimited to, thermoplastic hot melt dots, double sided tape or othertypes of adhesives.

In some embodiments, each pellet in the plurality of pellets has avisual indicator that allows the plane of fiber strands of each pelletto be oriented in the same direction.

In one aspect of the present patent document, a method of play isprovided. In preferred embodiments, the method of play comprises:providing a pellet that includes a plurality of fiber strands ofsubstantially the same length arranged in parallel along theirtransverse lengths, wherein the fiber strands are arranged such that atleast one end of each fiber strand lies in a plane to form a plane offiber strand ends and wherein the pellet further comprises a retainerthat surrounds the transverse lengths of the fiber strands and is openat one end exposing the plane of fiber strand ends; coupling the pelletto an adhesive segment by coupling the plane of fiber strand ends to theadhesive segment; coupling the adhesive segment including the pellet toa substrate; and, removing the retainer from the pellet to form a pompom.

In some embodiments, the retainer of the pellet is a plastic tube.Preferably, the retainer is open at both ends. However, in someembodiments it may only be open at one end.

In some embodiments, the method of play further comprises the step ofpicking the pellet from a pallet of pellets using an applicator whereinthe applicator includes a handle portion and a cavity designed to havean interference fit with the outside surface of the retainer. Inembodiments, that use an applicator, preferably both the coupling stepsare performed using an applicator. The applicator makes it much easierfor a human to manipulate the smaller pellets.

Although the pellets may be any shape, they are cylindrical in thepreferred embodiments. In addition, although the fiber strands may bemade from any material, they are preferably made from yarn.

In some embodiments, the pellet has at least one end of each fiberstrand in the plane of fiber strand ends coupled together with anadhesive. The adhesive constrains one end of the fibers while the otherend of each fiber remains free. In certain embodiments, the plane offiber strand ends further comprises a visual indicator coupled thereto.

In another aspect of the present patent document, a kit for creating pompoms is provided. In preferred embodiments, the kit comprises: aplurality of pellets wherein each pellet comprises a plurality of fiberstrands of substantially the same length arranged in parallel alongtheir transverse lengths, wherein the fiber strands are arranged suchthat at least one end of each fiber strand lies in a plane to form aplane of fiber strand ends and wherein each pellet further comprises aretainer that surrounds the transverse lengths of the fiber strands andis open at one end exposing the plane of fiber strand ends; and, aplurality of adhesive segments arranged on a releasable surface whereinthe adhesive segments have a profile that is the same as a pellet crosssection.

In some embodiments the kit may also include an applicator wherein theapplicator includes a handle and a cavity and wherein the cavity issized to form an interference fit with an outside surface of thecontainer of a pellet. The applicator is preferably designed to allowthe pellets to be more easily handled and applied to objects. Theapplicator allows the outer container to be more easily removed from thepellets once the pellets are coupled to an object or surface.

The kit may include any type of adhesive segments. Preferably theadhesive segments are provided on a flat sheet or rolled tape. In someembodiments, the adhesive segments are round thermoplastic hot meltdots.

In some embodiments of the kit for creating pom poms, the kit comprises:a plurality of pellets wherein each pellet comprises a plurality offiber strands of substantially the same length arranged in parallelalong their transverse lengths, wherein the fiber strands are arrangedsuch that at least one end of each fiber strand lies in a plane to forma plane of fiber strand ends and wherein the fiber strands are containedwithin a plastic tube along their transverse lengths to form acylindrical pellet; and, a plurality of round adhesive dots arranged ona releasable surface wherein the dots have a radius equal or less thanthe radius of the pellets in the plurality of pellets.

In most embodiments, the kit ay also include one or more objects toapply the pom poms to. The objects may be figurines, mobiles, templates,cups, glasses, or just about any other object. The objects may haveindicators that indicate a color and location to adhere a pellet. Insome embodiments, the kit further comprises a template with indicatorsthat indicate a color and location to adhere a pellet

Further aspects, objects, desirable features, and advantages of theapparatus and methods disclosed herein will be better understood fromthe detailed description and drawings that follow in which variousembodiments are illustrated by way of example. It is to be expresslyunderstood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose ofillustration only and are not intended as a definition of the limits ofthe embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a kit for allowing kids to playwith pom pours.

FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a pellet for use in making a pompom.

FIG. 2A illustrates an end view of the constrained ends of oneembodiment of a pellet for use in making a pom pom.

FIG. 3 illustrates a play pattern for applying pellets to form pom poreson a mobile.

FIG. 4 illustrates another play pattern in which pom poms are applied toa speaker.

FIG. 5 illustrates another play pattern in which a template is providedto allow the creation of images using pom poms.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The present patent document relates to methods and apparatus for addingpom poms to objects. The present patent document further relates to anumber of play patterns involving the use of the methods and apparatusfor adding pom poms to objects.

As used herein a “pom pom” may be any tuft, puff, or grouping of string,yarn, strands of fabric, fur or synthetic fiber. In a preferredembodiment, a pom pom consists of 1 or more individual pieces of fabricclosely bunched together. In a preferred embodiment of a pom pom, theindividual strands are constrained in close proximity on one end whilebeing free on their opposite end. While a pom pom preferably has 5 ormore individual strands, a pom pom may have any number of strands. Asused herein, a pom pom may have 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 50 or more individualstrands constrained in close proximity at one end while free at theiropposite ends. Preferably, a pom pom has between 1 and 48 strands offiber. Even more preferably, a pom pom is comprised of 24 strands offiber.

In preferred embodiments, the strands of fabric that form a pom pom areconstrained in close proximity on one end. However, in other embodimentsthe strands of fabric may be constrained in close proximity in otherlocations. For example, in some embodiments, a plurality of strands offabric may all be constrained in dose proximity about their midpointsallowing both ends to be free. In other embodiments, the strands may beconstrained in another location between their ends allowing both ends tobe free.

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a kit 20 for allowing kids tocreate and apply pom poms to objects. As will be understood by readingthis patent document, not all the items in the kit 20 shown in FIG. 1are required to perform the methods described herein. The kit 20 of FIG.1 includes, open 23, an applicator 24, three mini yarn spools 25, threefabric strips 26, two adhesive sheets 27, and thirty pom pom refillsshown on three pallets 28. As may be seen in FIG. 1, a pom pom 22 adornsthe end of pen 23. This is not required and is simply used todemonstrate the use of the pom pom 22.

Before becoming a pom pom, the fibers that will eventually become a pompom may be provided in the form of a pellet. A plurality of pellets maybe held, stored or placed on a pallet 28. Pellets may be organized bycolor such that each pallet 28 includes only a single color pellet. InFIG. 1, three pallets 28 of pellets are shown. Once the pellets areapplied to a surface and transformed into a pom pom, they may appearsimilar to the pom pom 22 shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a pellet 10. The pellet 10 includesan outer retainer/container 12 that surrounds a plurality of fiberstrands 14. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the outer retainer 12 isa circular tube but in other embodiments, other forms may be used, Forexample, outer retainer 12 may be square, hexagon or any other shape. Inthe embodiment shown in FIG. 1, outer retainer 12 is open at both ends.However, in other embodiments, outer retainer 12 may be closed at oneend. As may be seen in FIG. 1, the fibers 14 are all aligned with theouter retainer 12 such that they are parallel and their ends arearranged in approximately the same planes such that the assembly forms acylinder. In preferred embodiments, the reads of fiber 14 are arrangedsuch that at least one end of each fiber 14 lies in a plane to form aplane of fiber ends. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, outer retainer12 is approximately the same length as the fibers 14. However, in otherembodiments, outer retainer 12 may be shorter than the length of thefibers 14.

In a preferred embodiment, the outer retainer 12 of pellet 10 iscomposed of paper or plastic. However, in other embodiments, othermaterials may be used including rubber, fabric or any other type ofmaterial. In some embodiments, the retainer 12 is very thin. Forexample, the retainer may have the thickness of a piece of paper orsimilar thickness piece of plastic.

In preferred embodiments of pellets 10, fiber(s) strand(s) 14 aretightly packed inside the outer container 12 in such a way that thefiber(s) strands(s) 14 will retain their position within the outercontainer 12 until they are adhered to a substrate and the outercontainer 12 is pulled away from the fiber(s) s rand(s) 14. In preferredembodiments, the fiber strands 14 are of substantially the same lengthand arranged in parallel along their transverse lengths. In the contextof this patent document, “substantially the same length” means that nofiber strand 14 in the same pellet 10 is more than 3 times the length ofanother fiber strand 14 in the same pellet. In preferred embodiments,all the fiber stands are the same length. In other embodiments, all thefiber stands 14 are within 90% of the length of all the other fiberstrands 14 in the same pellet 10. Even if the fiber strands 14 in thesame pellet 10 are of different lengths, each fiber 14 should have atleast one end that lies substantially in a plane of fiber ends such thatall the fiber strands 14 may be easily coupled to objects. The differentlength fibers 14 will allow pom poms to be created that are “shaggy” or“bushy.” Such pom poms may be advantageous for providing play patternswhere the pom poms are later trimmed by scissors or other cuttingapparatus.

In different embodiments, the pellet 10 may have different diametersdepending on the number of fibers 14 contained within a pellet 10. Insome embodiments, the pellets have a diameter less than 1 inch. Inpreferred embodiments, the pellets have a diameter between 0.2 inchesand 2 inches and more preferably about 0.4 inches (10.5 mm). In otherembodiments, the pellets have a diameter less than 3 inches althoughlarger diameters may be possible.

In one embodiment, a method of applying one or more strands of fabric,fur or synthetic fiber(s) to a substrate using an adhesive to secure thefiber to the substrate is provided. In such embodiments, a pellet 10 maybe used and an adhesive applied to one end of the pellet 10 such thatthe adhesive is coupled to the exposed ends of the fibers 14 on one endof the pellet 10. The pellet 10 with applied adhesive may be pressedonto any substrate or object by applying a force in the direction of theadhesive, perpendicular to the surface of the adhesive and thesubstrate. The outer retainer 12 is then pulled in a direction away fromthe substrate. The adhesive with fibers 14 is left attached to thesubstrate and the outer retainer 12 is pulled away and emptied. The endof the fibers 14 opposite the ends attached to the adhesive expandoutward in a radial direction forming a pom pom.

In some embodiments, the pellets 10 may be manufactured with all theends of the fibers 14 on one side of the pellet 10 already constrained.In other embodiments, the pellets 10 may be manufactured with both endsfree such that the ends of the fibers on one side of the pellet 10 arenot constrained until the pellet 10 is adhered to a surface to form apom pom 22. In embodiments where all the ends of the fibers 14 on oneside of the pellet 10 are constrained prior to being attached to asurface, the ends may be bonded together during manufacture of thepellets 10 using an adhesive. The adhesive may be any type of adhesiveincluding glue, hot glue, hot melt, or any other type of adhesive. Inembodiments where the pellets 10 are manufactured with all the ends ofthe fibers 14 on one side of the pellet constrained, the adhesive usedto constrain the fiber ends is allowed to cure or dry such that a secondadhesive needed to attach the pellet 10 to a substrate to form a pom pom22.

In some embodiments, the second adhesive, which preferably has a lowprofile, is also applied to one end of the fibers during themanufacturing process of a pellet 10. The adhesive may be comprised of aplastic or paper backing which protects the side of the adhesive notsecured to the fibers. The paper backing is manually removed by peelingback the edge of the paper backing. The paper is then removed, exposingthe adhesive. In some embodiments, the adhesive that constrains the endsof the fibers 14 in the pellet and the adhesive used to adhere thepellet to a substrate may be applied to the pellet during manufacture atthe same time. In some embodiments, they may be one in the sameadhesive.

In different embodiments, the adhesive used to affix the pellets 10 to asubstrate may be applied in different ways. In one embodiment, thepellets 10 may come with adhesive already applied to one end of thefiber 14 during manufacturing. In preferred embodiments, the adhesive isapplied to one and only one end of the fibers 14. In some embodiments,the adhesive may be liquid. However, in other embodiments the adhesivemay be a gel or solid.

In some embodiments, the adhesive may be provided as a number ofpreformed adhesive segments 29 on a sheet 27, as shown in FIG. 1. Insome embodiments, the profile of the adhesive segment 29 may be formedin order to match the profile of the pellets 10. For example, in someembodiments, the adhesive may be an adhesive segment 29 designed tocouple to the fibers 14 when packed into a pellet 10. In embodimentswhere the pellets 10 are cylinders, the adhesive segments 29 may beadhesive dots as shown in FIG. 1. In such embodiments, the further stepof applying the adhesive segments 29 to the pellets 10 may be performedby an end user. To this end, in one play pattern, one end of a pellet 10is pressed onto an adhesive segment 29 such that the adhesive segment 29is coupled to the ends of the fiber 14 and then the assembly of thepellet 10 and adhesive segment 29 is applied to a substrate or object.Preferably, the pellet 10 is coupled to an adhesive segment 29 bycoupling the plane of fiber ends to the adhesive segment 29. Then theadhesive segment 29 including the pellet 10 is coupled to a substrate orobject. Once the assembly is coupled to an object, the retainer 12 maybe removed from the pellet 10 to form a pom pom.

The adhesive sheet 27 may include one or more backings that protect theadhesive segments 29. In embodiments where the adhesive s not coupled tothe pellets during manufacture, the adhesive sheet 27 may consist of alayer of adhesive between two layers of plastic or paper backing whichprotects the sides of the adhesive. In embodiments adhesive is alreadycoupled to the pellets 10, the adhesive may include a single backing onthe side of the adhesive not secured to the fibers 14. The backing maybe made of paper, wax paper, plastic or any other material. The backingmay be manually removed by peeling back the edge. Once the backing isremoved, the adhesive is exposed. In preferred embodiments, the adhesivehas a low profile.

Returning to FIG. 1, it may be seen that adhesive segments 29 may beprovided on sheets 27. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, each sheet 27includes a plurality of round adhesive portions, a.k.a. adhesive dots29. In other embodiments, shapes other than round may be used for theadhesive portions. Preferably, the adhesive portions match the shape andsize of the cross section of the pellets 10. In some embodiments, theoutside dimensions of the adhesive portions may be larger than theoutside dimensions of the pellets 10. However, preferably, the outsidedimensions of the adhesive portions are either the same size or smallerthan the outside dimensions of the pellets 10. For example, inembodiments with round pellets 10 with about a 10.5 mm diameter, thediameter of the adhesive dot preferably has a range of about 8-9 mm.Generally, it is preferable that the outside diameter of the adhesivedot is at least a millimeter or more less than the diameter of thepellet; a range of 1-5 millimeters less is preferably and a range of 1-3millimeters less is more preferable. As used herein “about the sameradius” means that the first radius is within 25% of the second radiuseither larger or smaller. Such that a 10.5 mm pellet and 8-9 mm adhesivedots have “about the same radius.”

In a preferred embodiment, the pellets 10 are round and the fibers 14are secured by a tubular outer retainer 12. The adhesive is supplied asa plurality of adhesive dots on a sheet 27. In some embodiments, theadhesive dots may be supplied on a rolled up tape or sheet. In suchembodiments, the adhesive dots preferably have a similar diameter to thediameter of the pellets 10. In operation, the adhesive on one side ofthe dots is exposed and one end of a pellet 10 is pressed against anadhesive dot. The center line of the outer retainer 12 should be alignedwith the center line of the pre-cut circular adhesive segments 29. Thiscauses the adhesive segment 29 to couple to one end of the pellet 10.Next, the adhesive on the other side of the adhesive segment 29 isexposed by further removing a backing. The pellet 10 with the adhesivesegment 29 coupled to the fibers 14 may then be pressed on to asubstrate or object. The pressing is performed such that one end of thefibers 14 is coupled to the substrate or object via the adhesive. Thisis typically in direction perpendicular to the surface of the object nrsubstrate and along the longitudinal axis of the pellet 10. Finally, theouter retainer 12 is removed such that the uncoupled ends of the fibers14, the ends not attached to the adhesive segment 29, can spread outradially to form a pom pom. This is typically accomplished by pullingthe outer retainer 12 in a direction away from the adhesive segment 29along the longitudinal axis of the pellet 10.

Depending on the embodiment, the pellets 10 may be any shape or size. Insome embodiments, the pellets 10 are around 1 to 2 inches in length. Inother embodiments, longer or short pellets 10 may be used. Preferably,the pellets 10 are 1 inch in length and no less than 0.25 inches inlength. In some embodiments, much longer pellets on the order of 5 to 10inches or longer may be used.

Pellets 10 may contain any color fibers 14. Preferably, each pellet 10only includes a single color fiber 14. However, in some embodiments,pellets with a plurality of fiber colors are possible. While typically asingle pellet 10 may only have a single fiber color, kits for variousdifferent play patterns may be provided with a plurality of pellets ofvarying colors. However, there is no restriction to the type of colorsthat may be included in a pellet 10 and pellets may include fiber of thesame color and/or material strands or a single pellet may containdifferent colored fibers and/or fibers of different materials. Forexample, in some embodiments, the pellets may be made up of half regularstrands of fiber or yarn and half sparkly strands of fiber or yarn. Thesparkly strands may be created using glitter or some other type ofreflective material.

FIG. 2A illustrates an end view of the constrained ends of oneembodiment of a pellet 10 for use in making a pom pom. As may be seen inFIG. 2A, a visual indicator 15 may be added to one end of the pellet 10.The visual indicator 15 may be any type of indicator including anyshaped dot or mark. The visual indicator is used to indicate anorientation for the pellet 10. Because the pellet may be manufacturedwith all the fiber ends pre-constrained on one end of the pellet 10,orientation of the pellet 10 can be important. Users will always want toorient the pre-constrained end towards the substrate they are attachingthe pellet 10 to. To this end, a plurality of pellets limy be providedall with a visual indicator on the end of the same side, either theconstrained side or the unconstrained side. In preferred embodiments,the visual indicator is on the constrained side indicating that sideshould be placed against the substrate. In other embodiments, the visualindicator may be placed on the side of the container 12 and may indicatean orientation of the pellet 10 such as with an arrow or otherindicator. In other embodiments, the container 12 may have a visualindicator on the side but towards one end to indicate an orientation.The key is that the visual if indicators 15 consistently distinguishesbetween a constrained end and an unconstrained end of the fibers 14 in apellet 10.

Returning to FIG. 1, in a preferred embodiment, an applicator 24 is usedto apply the pellets 10 to a substrate or object. The applicant 24 mayhave various designs. As may be seen in FIG. 1, the applicator 24includes a handle portion 31 and a cavity 33. The cavity is designed tohave an interference fit with an outside surface of the retainer 12.Accordingly, the applicator 24 may couple to the outer retainer 12 ofthe pellets 10 such that when the applicator 24 is pulled away, theouter retainer 12 is pulled away with it. In preferred embodiment, theapplicator 24 is coupled to the outer retainer 12 using an interferencefit.

In preferred embodiments, an applicator 24 is used to mechanicallytransfer or couple the pellets 10 to other objects. In a preferredembodiment, the applicator 24 is designed to pick a single pellet 10from a pallet 28. However, in other embodiments, the applicator 24 maybe used to select multiple pellets 10 at a time.

In a preferred embodiment, the applicator 24 includes a passageway orcavity 33 with a diameter that is designed to create an interference fitwith the outside of the outer retainer 12 of a pellet 10. To this end,the applicator 24 may be pressed onto the pellets 10 and when pulledaway, will only remove the outer retainer 12. Preferably, the resistancebetween the passageway or cavity 33 of the applicator 24 and the outersurface of retainer 12 is more than the resistance between the insidersurface of the retainer 12 and the fibers 14. In a preferred embodiment,the passageway or cavity 33 is at the end of a handle portion 31allowing the pellets to be more easily maneuvered and applied.

Although the pellets 10 are typically applied to substrates by adding anadhesive to one end, the pellets 10 may be adhered and form pom poms inother ways. In some embodiments, the fibers 14 may be retained by a slotor opening. In such an embodiment, a pellet 10 is placed within a slotor opening and the outer retainer 12 is removed, the expansion of thecompressed fibers 14 previously trapped by the outer retainer 12 securesthe fibers in the opening. The remainder of the fibers length continuesto expand forming a pom pom without the use of adhesive.

Using slots or openings allows pellets 10 to form into pom poms withoutthe use of adhesive. In a preferred embodiment, one end of the pellet 10is pressed into an opening with a smaller cross-section than the crosssection of the pellet 10. While a smaller cross-section may beadvantageous to pinch the fibers 14 and securely anchor the pom pom 22,it is not required and other embodiments may use a less restrictiveopening. In various different embodiments, openings or slots that may beused as anchors points for pom poms 22 may be formed in sheets,figurines, lamps or any other type of accessory.

Although embodiments of pellets 10 have, up to this point, included anouter container 12, some embodiments of a pellet 10 do not have an outercontainer 12. In some embodiments, the outer container 12 may be omittedand the pellet 10 comprises simply a plurality of fibers 14 constrainedon one end. As discussed above, pellets 10 can have fibers 14constrained at one end during manufacture. Embodiments without acontainer 12, have their fibers constrained at one end by an adhesive tocreate a pellet 10 without a container. As may be understood from theteachings herein, if the pellets have the fibers constrained at one endusing an adhesive during manufacture, the container may take manydifferent forms or be omitted. For example, rather than a cylindricalcontainer like the one shown in FIG. 2, the container 12 could be aretaining ring, such as an elastic hand or string. In yet otherembodiments, the container 12 could be any band or sheath that restrictsthe spread of the ends of the fibers 14 opposite the constrained ends.

Numerous play patterns may be developed using the methods disclosedherein. For example, pom poms 22 may be applied to numerous differentobjections including, figurines, glasses, electronics such as phones,cups and numerous other objects. In some embodiments, numerous pom poms22 may be applied in close proximity to create a larger pom pom.

FIG. 3 illustrates a play pattern for applying pellets to form pom poms22 on a mobile 30. The mobile 30 may be any shape or size and the pompoms 22 may be applied in various different locations. Various differentcolor pom poms 22 may be used. In preferred embodiments, the pom poms 22are applied with n applicator 24.

FIG. 4 illustrates another play pattern in which pom poms 22 are appliedto a speaker/stereo 40. As may be seen in FIG. 4, any color and anystyle of decoration may be used. A single pellet 10 may be applied inone spot to forma small puff or pom pom 22 or multiple pellets 10 may beapplied in close proximity to create a larger puff or pom pom 22.

FIG. 5 illustrates another play pattern in which a template is providedto allow the creation of images using pom poms. As may be seen in FIG.5, a kit or studio may be provided with a craft box 50 that includes oneor more templates for creating images out of pom poms. In the embodimentshown in FIG. 5, a grid 54 may be provided for holding a plurality ofpom poms. The grid 54 may be laid over a template of an image. Thetemplate may provide indicators to indicate both the color and locationthat a pom pom should be formed. For example, the template may havecolored spots. Each spot is located where a pom pom should be placed andeach spot is colored to the color of the pom pom that should be placedthere. The pom poms may be inserted in the grid 54 such that the colorof the pom poms is matched to the color shown below on the template orimage. Once the pom poms are placed in the grid 54, the grid 54 may berotated about an axis such the comes into contact with a sticky canvas52. The pom poms will be stuck to the canvas 52 and when the grid 54 ispulled away, their outer retainers 12 may be simultaneously removedrevealing an image similar to the template only constructed of pom poms.

In yet another embodiment, no studio or grid is needed and pom poms maybe applied directly to a template or image.

Pellets 10 may be manufactured in many different ways. In oneembodiment, a plurality of fiber strands 14 may be pulled through aretainer 12. In preferred embodiments, the retainer 12 begins muchlonger than the final pellet length and is then cut once the appropriatenumber of fiber strands 14 have been pulled through. For example,twenty-four 18 inch fiber strands may be pulled through a straw or otherretainer 12. Once twenty-four strands have been pulled through, thestraw or retainer 12 may be cut along its length in a plurality oflocations to form a plurality of pellets 10. In some embodiments, theends of each pellet 10 may have an adhesive applied to constrain theends of the fiber strands 14 on one side of the pellet duringmanufacture.

Although the embodiments have been described with reference to preferredconfigurations and specific examples, it will readily be appreciated bythose skilled in the art that many modifications and adaptations to themethods and apparatus described herein are possible.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of play comprising: providing a pelletcomprising a plurality of fiber strands of substantially the same lengtharranged in parallel along their transverse lengths, wherein the fiberstrands are arranged such that at least one end of each fiber strandlies in a plane to form a plane of fiber strand ends and wherein thepellet further comprises a retainer that surrounds the transverselengths of the fiber strands and is open at one end exposing the planeof fiber stand ends; coupling the pellet to an adhesive segment bycoupling the plane of fiber strand ends to the adhesive segment;coupling the adhesive segment including the pellet to a substrate; andremoving the retainer from the pellet to form a pom pom.
 2. The methodof claim 1, wherein the retainer is a plastic tube.
 3. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the retainers open at both ends.
 4. The method of claim1, further comprising the step of picking the pellet from a pallet ofpellets using an applicator wherein the applicator includes a handleportion and a cavity designed to have an interference fit with anoutside surface of the retainer.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein boththe coupling steps are performed using the applicator.
 6. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the pellet is cylindrical.
 7. The method of claim 1,wherein the fiber strands are yarn.
 8. The method of claim 1, whereinthe pellet has at least one end of each fiber strand in the plane offiber strand ends coupled together with an adhesive.
 9. The method ofclaim 8, wherein the plane of fiber strand ends further comprises uvisual indicator coupled thereto.
 10. A kit for creating pom pomscomprising: a plurality of pellets wherein each pellet comprises aplurality of fiber strands of substantially the sat length arranged inparallel along their transverse lengths, herein the fiber strands arearranged such that at least one end of each fiber strand lies in a planeto form a plane of fiber strand ends and wherein the at least one end ofeach fiber strand are coupled together with an adhesive; and, aplurality of adhesive segments arranged on a releasable surface whereinthe adhesive segments have a profile that is about the same as a pelletcross section.
 11. The kit of claim 10 wherein each pellet furthercomprises a retainer that surrounds the transverse lengths of the fiberstrands and is open at one end exposing the plane of fiber strand ends.12. The kit of claim 10, further comprising an applicator, wherein theapplicator includes a handle and a cavity and wherein the cavity issized to form an interference fit with an outside surface of thecontainer of a pellet.
 13. The kit of claim 10, wherein each pellet inthe plurality of pellets is cylindrical.
 14. The kit of claim 12,wherein the adhesive segments are round thermoplastic hot melt dots. 15.The kit of claim 10, wherein the fiber strands are yarn.
 16. The kit ofclaim 10, wherein the retainer is a plastic tube.
 17. The kit of claim10, wherein the retainer is open at both ends.
 18. The kit of claim 10,wherein each pellet in the plurality of pellets has a visual indicatorthat allows the plane of fiber strands to be oriented in the samedirection.
 19. A kit for creating pom poms comprising: a plurality ofpellets wherein each pellet comprises a plurality of fiber strands ofsubstantially the sat length arranged in parallel along their transverselengths, wherein the fiber strands are arranged such that at least oneend of each fiber strand lies in a plane to form a plane of fiber strandends and wherein the fiber strands are contained within a plastic tubealong their transverse lengths to form a cylindrical pellet; and, aplurality of round adhesive dots arranged on a releasable surfacewherein the dots have about the same radius as a pellet of the pluralityof pellets.
 20. The kit of claim 19, further comprising an applicator,wherein the applicator includes a handle and a cavity and wherein thecavity is sized to form an interference fit with an outside surface ofthe plastic sheath of a pellet.
 21. The kit of claim 19, wherein theadhesive dots are thermoplastic hot melt dots.
 22. The kit of claim 19,wherein the fiber strands are yarn.
 23. The kit of claim 19, furthercomprising a template with indicators that indicate a color and locationto adhere a pellet.